Bodies of illegal miners found on Roodepoort farm outside Polokwane
The bodies of four Lesotho nationals were found in the bushes of a Roodepoort farm outside Polokwane after suspected conflict among Zama-Zamas.
POLOKWANE – The provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has ordered intensified operations at identified illegal mining sites in the province after the bodies of four Lesotho nationals were found by Limpopo police.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the men, who were suspected illegal miners, were shot dead by unknown suspects on a Roodepoort farm in the Westenburg policing area.
Mojapelo said preliminary police investigations indicate that a group of illegal miners from Lesotho and Zimbabwe were sitting around a fire next to an illegal mining shaft in the area on Sunday morning (September 25) when a group of Sesotho speaking suspects, armed with pistols, robbed them of their cellphones and money and ran in different directions.
“The police received information on Monday (September 26) about the incident and a full scale mobilisation of relevant resources, including a police helicopter, was ordered to hunt down the suspects and search for the victims,” he said.
The body of a 37-year-old man was found on a pathway on the farm and after the search was called off for the night, three more bodies were found on Tuesday next the illegal mining site.
“It appears the victims were shot while fleeing from the attackers. The motive for the incident is unknown at this stage but conflict among Zama-Zamas cannot be ruled out,” he said.
The police in Westenburg have opened cases of murder.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Brandon Mphahlele on 067 093 9828/072 294 4760 or the crime stop number on 08600 10111.
